TC Battery Replacement - Upgrade Options

deltabravo wrote:

adamis wrote:
If you don't have an ammeter already, I would recommend looking into one so you know your power usage per day is. I bought a cheap one on Amazon for ~$40:

http://a.co/d/dOZN7gA

An ammeter doesn't track amps over time. It just gives a raw amperage number in, or out.

What you need in order to track power usage over tiem is an Amphour meter such as the Xantrex LinkLite or LinkPro

Thank you for the terminology correction. The device I linked to does track power usage over time so I should have referred to it as an Amphour meeting. The description of it is:

"DROK Digital DC Multimeter 0-90V 0-100A Voltmeter Ammeter Power Capacity Time Meter Monitor, Charge-Discharge Battery Tester, Volt/Amp/Watt/Ah Meter Tester, LCD Color Screen with 20mm Hall Sensor"

The Xantrex and and LinkPro are fine products but the DROK unit is a very affordable alternative for those on a tight budget.

adamis wrote:
If you don't have an ammeter already, I would recommend looking into one so you know your power usage per day is. I bought a cheap one on Amazon for ~$40:

http://a.co/d/dOZN7gA

An ammeter doesn't track amps over time. It just gives a raw amperage number in, or out.

What you need in order to track power usage over tiem is an Amphour meter such as the Xantrex LinkLite or LinkPro

hedge wrote:
I'd suggest getting a single smaller 12v AGM battery, they are a bit more money but no maintenance. Don't see the point of putting a bunch of money and effort into it if you always have services, just suggesting the AGM to avoid the maintenance.

X2

Great input folks. You raised a few things I didn't think about and certainly a few that I should have. The local Interstate distributor confirmed my 4 year old Grp24 battery is toast ... no life left in it at all.

Based on your comments and suggestions, I'm going to really think this through regarding our needs and best battery solution for as reasonable a cost as possible. I'm not cheap ... but I agree with many of your comments regarding over "upgrading" and not getting the value out of doing that. Rest assured, I'll definitely not go lithium although they sound awesome if that's what you need and want and can afford ... then fill yer boots!

adamis wrote:
... snipped ...If you don't have an ammeter already, I would recommend looking into one so you know your power usage per day is.

Good idea ... makes sense to determine our needs first to really know what our best solution may be.

djg wrote:
... snipped ... where are you in Ontario I'm in Caledonia ... Dave

I'm in KW and thanks for the heads up about the battery shop and CPAP machine Dave. Hadn't even thought of the CPAP ... in fact I didn't think a TC's battery would run it! I wonder what the draw is?

hedge wrote:
... I'd suggest getting a single smaller 12v AGM battery, they are a bit more money but no maintenance. Don't see the point of putting a bunch of money and effort into it if you always have services, just suggesting the AGM to avoid the maintenance.

You raise some good points and your comments got me thinking. There are times we are over-nighting at a truck stop or non-electrical campsites are the only ones available. In those cases, we still need to ignite our fridge, run the water pump, perhaps run our furnace fan and certainly lights are always useful. I guess mobile phone charging is now a reality too.

The local Interstate dealer has a NOS deep cycle Grp27 AGM for sale at CDN$150 (about USD$115). The problem is my TC's cables are the smaller circle hook ups and this particular battery only had the large terminals. I'd have to by additional cables to make them work. More $$.

AnEv942 wrote:
... snipped ... If you do not camp off grid there is no justification for 'upgrading'. Certainly not 2- 6vs or the cost weight of a 31 for something that wont be utilized. However I'd probably go for the 27 over 24 ...

As far as cut-off, I don't understand camper that doesn't have one (ours didn't).

Good points. I'm an "over engineer it" kind-of person so that's why I always think "upgrade" when replacing equipment. I have room for up to a Grp 31 battery ... that's why I threw that out there. I haven't looked at the price points yet.

The reason I think I should install a cut-off switch is it appears my current/pooched battery boiled from being under hydrated and overcharged ... my bad. I figure if I am on shore power, I will simply cut the connection from the on board electrical panel and prevent any current from making its way to over/charge the TC's battery. Does this logic make sense?

My TC came with one group 24 battery and not much room..I quickly replaced the 24 with a 27 that barely fits..Not enough room for two batteries so I put another group 27 in a wheel well so I could have at least,two.

About what to do, is up to you and how you camp and your needs for 12 volt power.Myself,to keep the cost down I went the way I went.As you may well know,putting money into a TC is a never ending process and I chose to keep the cost down so I won't take a bath if I sold it.

Good luck..

I'd suggest getting a single smaller 12v AGM battery, they are a bit more money but no maintenance. Don't see the point of putting a bunch of money and effort into it if you always have services, just suggesting the AGM to avoid the maintenance.

If you don't have an ammeter already, I would recommend looking into one so you know your power usage per day is. I bought a cheap one on Amazon for ~$40:

http://a.co/d/dOZN7gA

There are pricier options that might be more accurate / reliable but for what I needed, this was perfect. It has the battery shunt plus digital LCD readout to give all the information you need to know about your battery use. From that point, figuring out what type of battery capacity you need is just a matter of figuring how many days you want to stay out and then working within the budget you set.

Hey sonuvabug where are you in Ontario I'm in Caledonia and in hamilton and toronto there is a place called Great northern battery (GNB) located on Parkdale ave in Hamilton, three years ago bought 2 deep cycle batteries (delco) for $109.00 a piece they were still going strong when my camper did the flip in the wind storm in April so I didn't want to take a chance with them and went back and bought 2 6V golf cart batteries only $120.00 a piece, they are all seconds but haven't had a problem so far, after a good charge and a rest they hold at 12.7, I use them alot as I have a CPAP machine , went to my son's in Calgary and used them for 6 days without a charge, only lights and CPAP and they were still at 12.35V can't beat the price also I think they are about 210 or 220AH

Dave

Just an opinion but reading your post appears youve answered your own question. If you do not camp off grid there is no justification for 'upgrading'. Certainly not 2- 6vs or the cost weight of a 31 for something that wont be utilized. However if I were replacing I'd probalby go for the 27 over 24, just more battery with little cost differance.
As far as cut-off, I dont understand camper that doesnt have one (ours didn't).

adamis, neither our budget (nor our needs) are as big as your set-up. I read your thread with interest and what you did is impressive ... but not for us. I am interested in how your first trip will go ... but only from a curiosity standpoint.